Scots singing sensation Callum Beattie is preparing to take the country by storm as his second album hit shelves over the weekend.
The 33-year-old has attracted a growing number of fans due to his knack for writing heartfelt lyrics. His new album Vandals is described as a chronicle of his life, love and heartbreak.
Last summer Callum wowed fans at Glasgow Green on TRNSMT's main stage and then went on to sell out two nights at SWG3, but these successes are "just the beginning" for this Scots star.
He sold out the iconic Kelvingrove Bandstand in August with the tickets going in less than 24 hours and has a run of shows to come, while the dream is to play at Scotland's National Stadium, Hampden Park in Glasgow.
The singer-songwriter from Midlothian is adamant to be "entirely his own man".
Callum said: "I think it’s the first time I’ve actually made any music that’s this close to who I am. It’s also made me certain that this is how I will want to make future records too.
"All I really wanted was to put a band together and make a proper, live, studio record and that’s exactly what we did. It was all about the energy in the room and our producer Chris Marshall did a phenomenal job of getting the absolute best out of all of us.
"My manager Dave made it all happen – he asked what I wanted and took away all the stuff that can get in the way, he created the perfect environment and mood for me. He’s a huge part of it all."
He continued: "Vandals is exactly the record I wanted to make and it was done with the best group of people. I am very lucky and I know that.
"I’m over the moon with the results, as I wanted to get away from the sausage factory style that seems to have become commonplace in the industry nowadays.
"Each to their own, but I write for myself and those are the songs I want to record and release. If 22 writers have been roped in by some exec to come up with a song, that’s not something I want to put out. Collaborating and evolving songs with my band and friends is very different."
The album is also tinged with tragedy, with its dedication given to Callum's friend Paige Dougall, a teen who passed away from Ewing's Sarcoma, a rare form of cancer.
Callum and Dave have helped make her dream of releasing a single come true with a song on the album written for Paige.
"Dave and I were managing her and had put out her single with Ella Henderson. She died of Ewing's Sarcoma, a rare bone cancer. To say she had a massive impact on this record would be an understatement," Callum continued.
"Paige’s energy is all over the record. The whole band actually wrote a song on the album for Paige - it’s called Can’t Kill the Summer and I’m sure she loves it from wherever she is. One thing’s for sure, when she passed, she left a massive hole in all our lives."
The two are now involved in the music therapy charity Paige inspired.
Callum said: "Dave and I are now joint patrons of Paige’s Musical Butterflies - a charity set up by Paige’s family to provide music therapy for ill kids. It’s a huge passion for us both."
With his biggest year ahead, Callum is thrilled to share his deeply personal music. Fans can watch him perform live at a string of in-stores and a special launch party at Radisson RED Glasgow's iconic Sky Bar on Thursday, March 2.
Callum added: "It feels amazing - surreal and amazing. When you start out the way I did, singing in pubs sometimes to two guys and a dug, your dreams are constantly put on the back burner.
"It’s almost impossible to maintain the self-belief that you can achieve anything, but somehow with Dave’s help I’ve managed to keep at it, and this album is really the ultimate reward for that perseverance.
"There have been times in my life where I just thought getting music into the market was completely beyond me, so to have come this far on such an incredible journey is just something I have gratitude for every single day.
"These songs are songs I wanted to record, not songs dictated by a label or by trends or anything else - they are just my view of the world. It’s all honest, it’s from the heart and that’s why it means so much. This record is me and I’m so proud of it."
Callum Beattie's Vandals is available now on all platforms. The launch party will be held at Radisson RED Glasgow's Sky Bar on Thursday, March 2.
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